US Universities

When looking at US Higher Education institutions you may get confused with some of the terminology such as Public and Private schools and Universities and Colleges, Technical and Liberal Arts Colleges. What does it all mean? Here we explain the differences but if you are still confused, why not contact your local GetSet Centre where our experienced staff will be happy to help you.

What's the difference between a College and a University?

These terms are often used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Both offer the same types of degree: Associates, Bachelors and Masters. However there are some differences between the various types of schools that may influence your decision

What are Public Schools?

Public Universities and Colleges are schools that receive their funding from the state and/or federal government and to a far lesser degree from private contributions. As these institutions are closely tied to their respective state government, the admission criteria are usually standardized. State schools tend to be less expensive than private schools and are popular options for local in-state students. Public schools will have large departments with lots of different courses on offer.

What are Private Schools?

Private Universities and Colleges receive little funding from the government, instead receiving all their funding from private sources and endowments. Since they are not tied to the government, private institutions can offer a wide variety of resources and options to students. Schools vary widely with the courses of study available to students with some specializing in certain areas while others are more broad-based. Private schools are frequently the top ranked institutions in the US and are well-known for the outstanding quality of their faculty and departments.

What's the difference between a Technical College and a Liberal Arts institution?

Many colleges and universities in the USA place a high emphasis on Engineering and the Sciences. These schools are known as “Technical” schools and characterized by state-of-the-art labs and instruction, practical training and faculty that are leaders in their fields. Conversely, “liberal Arts” schools take a more broad-based approach to education with course offerings rich in humanities. Liberal Arts schools focus on imparting general knowledge and critical thinking.